MELBOURNE, Australia(AP) Fernando Verdasco has advanced to his first Grand Slam semifinal in 23 attempts, beating last year's Australian Open runner-up Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France.
The 14th-seeded Verdasco, who upset Britain's Andy Murray in the fourth round, beat Tsonga 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Tsonga lost to Novak Djokovic in the 2008 title match and was seeded fifth this year.
The 25-year-old Verdasco, a key player in Spain's Davis Cup win, has never advanced past the fourth round at any Grand Slam, and never past the second round at the Australian Open.